Formula One - Brazilian GP Preview

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 - 14:45

Aiming to end the season on a high...

Coming into race twenty of twenty, Brazil caps off an intense, emotional and rewarding season for Lotus F1 Team. Kimi returns to one of his favourite racing destinations, while Romain looks to end his season on a high at a track he loves, and one he thinks should suit the E20…

Kimi Räikkönen

The greatest day of my career came at Interlagos when I won the World Championship in 2007 and that means I have very fond memories of this place. I have finished here every year since 2003 and been on the podium five times. That’s why it is one of my favourite places to go back to.

I like the old fashioned type of circuits. Interlagos is challenging and we run the laps anti clock-wise which is different from normal. The atmosphere from the crowds is always very good and you never know how the race will be as the weather changes quickly and often.

I want to celebrate a good result with the team in Brazil. That would give the best feeling for the winter and also for next season.

Romain Grosjean

Interlagos is a fantastic track. It suits my driving style so I’m really looking forward to it. The E20 could be very good there too and should suit to the conditions and circuit. It’s interesting with its ups and downs. If I had to pick favourite parts of Interlagos, I would say the first and last corners; they are very fast and as a driver I really enjoy them! It’s an old style track so very hard to pick out a single element; I’d say everything is pretty good.

I think we made another good improvement in Austin. We should hopefully take our qualifying and race pace to Brazil.

Eric Boullier, Team Principal

We know we have better performance still to come from the car and the ability to achieve stronger results, so we’re looking forward to Brazil. Kimi is still in a tight battle for P3 in the Drivers’ standings so we’ll be going all out to make sure he keeps that spot.

We’ll be aiming to end the season on a high and carry that momentum through the winter break.

It’s not only on track that we have been making good progress, behind the scenes too there are many positives which are encouraging and intensifying our efforts. Keep watching us; there’s better to come.

Interlagos in Numbers

3.3

Highest g-force experienced for 3 seconds at T11

16 %

of the lap spent braking

40

Total straight per lap (%)

43

Gear changes per lap

62%

of lap at full throttle

76

Lowest apex speed (kmh) at T10

200

Distance in metres from start line to first corner

300

Highest apex speed (kmh) at T15

318

Top speed (kmh)

1200

Longest full throttle burst (metres) between T12 and T1

On Track

TURN 1

The first corner presents a good overtaking opportunity. It’s a tricky downhill turn at the end of a long straight making it easy for drivers to out-brake themselves.

TURNS 2 – 3

It’s important to get a good exit from Turn 1; carrying the momentum on through Turn 2 into the high speed Turn 3 and on to the DRS straight.

TURNS 4 – 7

The DRS zone on the back straight presents a good overtaking opportunity heading into Turn 4. Turns 4, 5, 6 & 7 are all quite high speed before heading in to the lower speed Turn 8.

TURNS 8 – 10

Flat kerbs at the low speed Turns 8 & 10 allow drivers a degree of freedom in their apex point.

TURN 12

Turn 12 is crucial for a quick lap, with exit speed defining how fast you can charge up the hill and along the straight.

TURNS 13 – 15

The uphill section means high loads for the engine due to an altitude-induced oxygen deficit.